News

Barista accreditation in Australia - and worldwide - is about to change. It’s going to have major impact if you are currently doing a SCAA course or have already done one.

What’s it all about?

The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE) have unified to become the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). Globally respected in the specialty coffee industry, the SCA represents thousands of coffee professionals all over the world, from farmers to baristas.

What does it mean for Danes and the Australian coffee industry?

Essentially it means coffee education and qualification becomes a standardised, credible accreditation system recognised the world over.

For Danes Specialty Coffee Institute, it confirms our position as leaders of barista training on a global scale. The SCA accreditation and barista pathway we offer are now recognised internationally. So, no matter where your coffee career takes you across the world, the training you receive at Danes will open doors.

The new SCA will allow streamlining of the courses we offer. You’ll find it easier to choose which course is right for you. Greater transparency between each SCA course we deliver will continue to equip you with the world class knowledge and skills we’ve been famous for since 1999.

The new courses will roll out from 1 January 2018, so check our website for updates and to enrol.

I’m in the middle of an SCAA accreditation. Where does this leave me?

Don’t stress – all baristas whom have completed or enrolled in an SCAA course in 2017 will receive credit transfers to SCA. This means if you have completed SCAA courses in the past and have a current SCAA profile it will simply become your SCA profile once it is transferred.

BeanScene magazine - Danes Specialty Coffee Institute

For years, Danes has been sharing its world-class knowledge and methods to help baristas enhance the workplace.

Well-trained staff are integral to a successful specialty coffee business. With this in mind, Danes Specialty Coffee Institute (DSCI) has created the ultimate specialty coffee training facility. Using only the most current, best-practice methods in the industry, DSCI built a reputation as an outstanding centre for specialty coffee knowledge.

Located in Brookvale on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, the facility offers the most comprehensive specialty coffee training program for baristas in Australia. Danes is the only Australian licensed training partner of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA). This enables DSCI to deliver the SCAA International Professional Development Program (IDP).

The SCAA is the world’s largest coffee trade association, and its training program is recognised as a world leader in specialty coffee development and training.

A wide range of barista courses developed in-house is on offer at DSCI, as are SCAA certified courses. DSCI’s robust course offering includes Le Nez du Café, Specialty Alternate Brewing Workshop, Espresso Bar Efficiency and Workflow, and Seed to Cup.

Since its formation in 1999, DSCI has welcomed thousands of international and Australian students, arming them with the skills they need to provide world-class coffee to an increasingly discerning customer base. DSCI trainers are highly motivated, accredited teaching professionals with a true passion for specialty coffee development, and have completed all components of the SCAA IDP.Let us help your staff reach their maximum potential, and see your business thrive.

Contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Interview with Caleb Cha - Latte Art World Champion

SCAA updates the Coffee Taster's Flavour Wheel

In a major announcement, the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) has updated its Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel for the first time in its 21-year history.

This is a story with great significance as it is the foundation of all sensory evaluation in the coffee industry.

SCAA have said "This is the largest and most collaborative piece of research on coffee flavor ever completed, inspiring a new set of vocabulary for industry professionals. This groundbreaking new tool will shift the way our industry thinks about and utilizes coffee flavor."

Coffee professional wishing to keep their skills up to date should consider the range of SCAA classes offered year round by the Danes Specialty Coffee Institute including sensory evaluation techniques.

The Grand Latte Art Championships 2015 Video

The Coffee Experience

Join Danes and the SCAA at The Coffee Experience 2015 to build and progress your skills as a barista and coffee professional! After a series of successful courses at The Coffee Experience 2014 and the Melbourne International Coffee Exhibition 2015, Danes are excited to announce that they will be offering the classes at this year’s Coffee Experience. The classes offered at TCE 2015 include:

- Espresso and Milk Steaming Fundamentals

- Grind, Dose, Tamp and Extract

- Brewing and Extraction Workshop

- Orientation to SCAA Cupping

As well as the classes, practical examination slots for the Barista Guild of America Level 1 will be offered, along with Golden Cup Technician Examinations.

“Stunning location, awesome attendance and some great Latte art battles. It was our pleasure to support such innovative marketing and industry initiatives.”Rodger Williamson - Water Filter Services (WFS)

2015 International Grand Latte Art Championship

The Format. Fast, Intense, fun, spectator friendly and interactive Latte Art competition that is an open competition for baristas and Latte Artists from all over the world. Three rounds of competition beginning with 1 knockout, elimination round that sees competitors create one Latte Art creation from the ‘Grand Latte Art Championship (GLAC) E-Wheel’.

SCAA Courses at MICE 2015

The Specialty Coffee Association Of America (SCAA) will be running courses at the Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) from 13th to 15th March 2015. Danes Specialty Coffee will be assisting with the Barista courses and coordination of the training.

SCAA courses are available all year round at Danes Specialty Coffee Institute. Discounts are available for SCAA members and for group course bookings.

SCAA Courses

Danes Specialty Coffee has partnered with Specialty Coffee Association Of America (SCAA) to become an accredited SCAA training partner in our SCAA accredited training Lab. The courses and accreditation now include Specialty Coffee Association of America professional development program.